Car accidents can take a massive toll on your physical and mental health. If you have always been a fit and healthy person, it may be frustrating to realize you can’t jump back into your usual routine as soon as you would like.
However, as long as the recovery journey can be, there may be ways to speed it up while also making it more manageable. Here are a few helpful tips for getting your physical and mental health back on track post-accident.
Hire a Lawyer
It may surprise you just how much stress can impact your health. After a car accident, you’re likely dealing with a great deal of it as you navigate the legal world. However, by hiring a Kansas City car accident lawyer, you can have much of that stress taken off your shoulders.
A lawyer for car accidents can negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and take care of the paperwork. Their job also involves fighting for your right to compensation. With the battle won, you can put your money towards helpful medical services that assist with your recovery journey.
See a Therapist
It’s not uncommon for car accident victims’ mental health to take a nosedive in the wake of trauma. In fact, some studies show that at least a third of car accident survivors experience some form of anxiety or mental trauma.
Among the most common are post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociation, and depression. Seeing a therapist talk through your emotions and experiences might be how you come out on top, fighting fit.
Consider Physical Therapy
Just as you can use a therapist for your mind, you can also use a physical therapist for your body. Your doctor may recommend exercises and medications for post-accident care. However, they may also recommend physical therapy to help with specific injuries.
Physical therapists can offer manual therapy techniques to stress and massage muscles while breaking down scar tissue as your muscles heal.
Eat Recovery Foods
You may not think that what you eat can impact your physical and mental health after an accident, but it can. Some foods are more recommended for wound healing than others, such as meat, fish, poultry, milk, soy products, eggs, and cheese.
Eating produces rich in vitamin C and A may also provide some benefits since studies have shown they are associated with elevated moods and wound healing.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water while you heal, as well. Water thins the blood and moves oxygen and nutrients through the body. The more water you drink, the easier it may be for cell-repairing nutrients to get to where they are needed the most.
Practice Mindfulness
It’s easy to replay the scenes of your accident over and over in your head. While a successful outcome in court can close that chapter of your life, you may still be left with some lingering thoughts.
Practicing mindfulness may be how you manage these in everyday life. This process involves being in the present moment and acknowledging and accepting your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Just 15 minutes a day may be enough to put you on the path to healing.
Dealing with the after-effects of car accident injuries can take an immense amount of effort. However, for the sake of your physical and mental health going forward, it may be worth your time to do these things above. Your body and mind will thank you for it.